NATIONAL ANTHEM

Remember when I interviewed GARRETT LEE ROBINSON?! Well Garrett was kind enough to tell me about this super AWESOME band that I am about to introduce you to!

NATIONAL ANTHEM is a super cool rock and roll band from Venice Beach! Their band is made up of 4 really cool dudes: Tad Jacobs, Bobby Alt, Curtis Roach, & Jeff Howell!

I had the pleasure of going out to Venice last Friday night to watch the band play a show at Townhouse Cocktails, and man oh man did they put on a great show! They had people in the crowd dancing and singing and it was GREAT. I really enjoyed their music. Told the band that it gave me a Black Keys and White Stripes kind of vibe! (2 of my favorite bands by the way!) Needless to say, their music is AWESOME!

I got to hang out with the band briefly when I conducted my interview with them, and they are just as cool off the stage as they are on! Their vibe really carried over into their overall personality’s and I really enjoyed meeting them!

Anyways…enough about that night…here is my interview with NATIONAL ANTHEM!

What type of music do you play?

Explosive analog rock and roll.

When did you guys become a band?

We became a band approximately one and a half years ago.

Who’s idea was it to become a band?

Bobby and Tad have been playing music together since they were kids, so I guess the band started then and we just added other member into it.

Why the name “National Anthem”?

I(Tad) thought about what I wanted to say to people. So national, meaning the people and anthem, meaning the voice. The voice of the people.

Who are your main musical influences?

I would say start with The Beatles and end with them as well. So The Beatles, any 60’s rock, The Doors, and anything that’s playing really. The more time Tad spends at the mall, the more we start to sound like Taylor Swift.

If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?

Mozart! No…let’s be serious. Brian Wilson would be cool, that would be a really good session.

What’s next for you guys?

Well we started this year wanting to record 1 song for every month of the year. Things change though, and there was a high demand for us to play more shows that took us out of the studio for a while. So right now we are playing more shows and writing more. In September we will finish more songs and another EP.

TAD JACOBS

What is your position in the band?

I’m the lead singer and I play guitar. I do a lot of the graphics and visuals. You can call me “The Blaze”.

How would you describe your own personal style?

Bohemian eccentric.

What is your favorite song/artist right now?

Shit man, I just saw Robert Plant at The Greek. His new album is pretty good.

Who inspires you?

First person I saw was Roy Orbison back in ’88 as a kid and I really wanted to pick up a guitar. I really got a taste of that vibe.

Where do you want to take your music career?

As long as it’s honest, it doesn’t matter where it goes.

BOBBY ALT

What is your position in the band?

I’m the drummer and I do sort of manager type things. Coordination type stuff. I’m the logistical officer.

How would you describe your own personal style?

I tend to constantly have an identity crisis. Sometimes I’ll be in my birthday suit, other times a t-shirt & a flannel, some sort of cut off punk rock tank top. I like things tailored and tight. Taylor Swiftly….that’s what they call me.

What is your favorite song/artist right now?

Awolnation: incredible record! It was super well done. Goes from modern to John Lennon type stuff. That and The Eagles.

Who inspires you?

I mean basic roots, my wife, kid, these guys, the dream of living and playing with my buddies and touring the world.

Where do you want to take your music career?

My whole thing is consistency. Continuing something that will flourish. I would like to be cremated on stage.

CURTIS ROACH

What is your position in the band?

I’m the bassist, and I also play guitar…pretty much whatever is around. I’m also the chief financial officer.

How would you describe your own personal style?

Moto enthusiast. I’m all style.

What is your favorite song/artist right now?

I like what Jim James is doing. The James gang lately.

Who inspires you?

Honestly…natural beauty inspires me. The smell of the air, feel of the wind in your hair, that type of stuff.

Where do you want to take your music career?

I’d like to go all the way.

JEFF HOWELL

What is your position in the band?

I play keys and I also do merchandise and online stuff. Facebook…coordinating interviews.

How would you describe your own personal style?

Casual. I’m kind of a jeans and t-shirt kinda guy.

What is your favorite song/artist right now?

Seem to be stuck in 70’s rock land. Trying really hard to get into newer music though.

Who inspires you?

These guys and other musicians, playing with and seeing other bands.

Where do you want to take your music career?

As far as it can go. To a point where I can do music full time.

SEE?! I told you that these guys were cool! Are you wanting more?! Well…HERE! Now you can stay up to date with their latest happening and you can also go check out their music!